Method and arrangement for treating bags to be filled with a product prior to filling the bags with a product

ABSTRACT

A method and arrangement for treating bags to be filled with a product prior to filling the bags with a product. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/EP2007/010944, filed on Dec. 13, 2007, whichclaims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No.10 2007 003 334.8, filed on Jan. 17, 2007. International PatentApplication No. PCT/EP2007/010944 was pending as of the filing date ofthis application. The United States was an elected state inInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/010944.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a method and arrangement for treatingbags to be filled with a product prior to filling the bags with aproduct.

2. Background Information

Background information is for informational purposes only and does notnecessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information andpublications are prior art.

The present application relates to a treatment arrangement for treatingbags or bag packages before the bags or bag packages are filled with aproduct or ingredient of a product. Such treatment arrangements are usedin the food and beverage industries to promote prolonged shelf lives ofthe products housed in the bag packages or flexible pouches.Additionally, such treatment arrangements are used in the food andbeverage industries to restrict or minimize contamination of bagmaterial and/or bag packages after the bag material and/or bag packageshave been treated by the treatment arrangements.

Treatment arrangements for treating bags or bag packages may be found inplants for producing bags or bag packages as well as fill and seal bagsor bag packages.

The present application relates to a treating device for bag packages,which treating device comprises an entry port, a shaping unit, a fillingunit, an exit port and one or more suitable conveying and/or transportelements.

In addition, the present application includes a method for using thetreating device.

The present application relates to a sterilizing device for bagpackages, said sterilizing device comprising an entry port, a shapingunit, a filling unit, an exit port and one or more suitable conveyingand/or transport elements, wherein the entry port includes a UVradiation device or is formed in a substantial manner from said UVradiation device, and said UV radiation device emits pulsed radiation athigh power. In addition the present application includes a method forusing said sterilizing device.

Sterilizing devices and sterilizing methods are widely known in thefoodstuffs industry and the beverage industry. The technology for solid,rigid containers, bottles or the like that have a monolithic body thathas been produced by means of blowing or deep-drawing processes is verysophisticated. The surfaces are smooth and substantially withoutgrooves, folds or the like that are difficult to access.

In the case of flexible bag packages, contrary to this, the productionprocesses produce a less smooth surface that is provided withtransitions and undercuts. Bent edges, glued surfaces and folded regionsthat give rise to narrow grooves, folds, edges and/or the like have tobe put up with when shaping the bag.

For many liquids and products that are customarily filled into flexiblebags, heat treating the filled bag is not desirable as losses in productquality are a consequence of the heat treatment. Consequently, there isgreat interest in aseptic cold filling. Along with known cleaning stepsin water, steam or sterilizing liquids, sterilizing with H₂O₂ is verywidespread in the area of industrial filling machines for beverages.

Even if this system works in principle, the degree of wetting of thesurface to be sterilized in as short a time as possible is limited andan increase in throughput speed with an even lower bacterial count isnot achievable with such a system or is achievable with unjustifiablyhigh expenditure.

Sterilizing the foil material used to produce said bags before theprocessing procedures is also known, as is carrying out the productionof the bags as such in a clean-room. Some methods for sterilizationinvolve guiding the foil material in a first step via a wet cleaningstation, where the foil is pre-cleaned. The foil pre-cleaned in such amanner is then moved past a UV light source in order to achieve thedesired rate of germ killing.

In some methods for sterilization, the pre-cleaning in the first step inthese cases also being performed by using a suitable liquid bath.Downstream of this first treatment step, the foil is guided upwards in ashaft so that the liquid can drain away, suitable wipers of the otherdrying devices being positioned upstream of the UV lamp. This wet,partly mechanical cleaning step is necessary and/or desired in order toremove germs in an appreciable manner in this first step, as the singleUV radiation is not sufficient with the band material running at highspeeds.

It can easily be understood that this wet, mechanical treatment of thefoils is time-consuming and expensive and is responsible, whereapplicable, for the incomplete removal of liquid residue, incompletedrying and even product degradation.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

Consequently, it is an object of the present application to disclose themethods and a device that do not have the afore-mentioned shortcomingsand that do enable the foil material to be put through at high speeds.

SUMMARY

This object is achieved through the sterilizing device according to thepresent application for bag packages which include as essentialcomponents an entry port, a shaping unit, a filling unit, an exit portand one or more suitable conveying and/or transport elements. The entryport, in this case, includes a UV radiation device or the entry port isformed substantially by said UV radiation device. The UV radiationdevice is capable of emitting pulsed radiation at high power or at veryhigh power.

In one possible embodiment, the UV radiation device has a radiationoutput of between 10 and 50 kiloWatts per centimeter squared(kWatt/cm²). In at least one possible embodiment according to thepresent application, radiation output is within the range of between 15and 25 kWatt/cm². In one possible embodiment of this presentapplication, this pulsed radiation is the extremely high rate at whichgerms, bacteria and viruses are killed off. The duration of theradiation pulse is within the range of 100 micro (μ) seconds to 500μseconds and in one possible embodiment of the present application iswithin the range of 250μ seconds to 350μ seconds. Through this pulsedinput, overheating and, where applicable, subsequent damage to thematerial of the foil are avoided, restricted, and/or minimized.

The combination of photo-thermal and photo-chemical reactions results ina very sharp rise in pressure and temperature on cell coverings, the UVproportion of the radiation thereby effectively destroying the DNAbuilding blocks, which results in the killing of bacteria, fungus sporesand viruses. Without a wet cleaning step and without the use ofadditional germ-killing substances, a germ reduction of log 3 to log 5is achieved.

The sterilizing device can be further developed to the effect that gasinlets are provided thereon, said gas inlets leading into the interiorspace bordering the entry port. By means of said gas supply, excesspressure can be generated in the interior space and the penetrating ofpathogenic germs, spores, etc. is reliably inhibited or restricted to anadmissible amount.

In one possible embodiment of the present application, the entry port isconnected to a gas line and at least one gas outlet is positioned at theentry port, it being possible to generate a gas flow by means of saidgas outlet in normal operation in opposition to the direction ofmovement of the foil. The said gas flow, which flows through the portparallel or substantially parallel to and in the opposite direction tothe conveying direction of the foil, along with the blocking effect alsohas a cooling effect for the foil in the area of the UV radiation.

The sterilizing device can be developed to the effect that a rollreservoir is positioned upstream of the entry port, said roll reservoirbeing connected to the entry side of the sterilizing device in a fixedor a detachable manner. By means of suitable guiding or conveyingelements, the foil can be directed in operation from the roll reservoirinto the entry port.

In addition, the present application includes a method for sterilizingbag packages, where the sterilizing device in one of the afore-mentionedembodiment variants is used. In this case,

a) in a first step foil material is directed from a roll or from anotherreservoir into the entry port,

b) the foil is then exposed to pulsed UV radiation in the region of theentry port at least on one side and in one possible embodiment on bothsides,

c) the foil is then formed into bag packages and subsequently

d) said empty bag packages are filled and sealed and, as the last step,

e) the filled bag packages are lifted or conveyed out of the sterilizingdevice by means of suitable conveying means.

The method according to the present application for sterilizing bagpackages can be improved if the internal pressure in the sterilizingdevice is higher than the ambient pressure and consequently a gas flowis directed through the port from inside to outside. In one possibleembodiment of the present application, a gas flow is directed into theinterior of the sterilizing device or at least in the flow direction tothe exit of the entry port, wherein the gas has clean-room quality. Inone possible embodiment of the present application, during theoperation, said gas is cleaned by means of filter elements or diaphragmmodules before being introduced into the interior space of thesterilizing device.

Various types of films or other sheet materials may be used with themethod and apparatus of the present application. For example, the bagpackages may be comprised of thermoplastic film, polymer, paper/polymaterial, polymeric material, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane,polyester, laminates, metallized plastic, metallized paper, plasticizedpaper, and other types of sheet material.

One example of such a sheet material may include a metallocenepolyethylene (mPE), known by the brand name Exceed™, manufactured byExxonMobil, having the mailing address 5959 Las Colinas Boulevard,Irving, Tex. 75039. Another sheet material may include FLEXOMER™ verylow density polyethylene resin, manufactured by The Dow ChemicalCompany, having the mailing address Dow Ashman Center, 4520 AshmanStreet, P.O. Box 1206, Midland, Mich. 48642. Yet another sheet materialmay include a high performance thermoplastic polyester elastomer, knownby the brand name Hytrel® 4068FG, manufactured by DuPont EngineeringPolymers, having the mailing address E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co.,Wilmington, Del. 19898.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodimentof the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or“embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments ofthe invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of theinvention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, theApplicant does not in any way admit that the present application doesnot include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinctinvention, and maintains that this application may include more than onepatentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant herebyasserts that the disclosure of this application may include more thanone invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention,that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respectto the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One possible embodiment of the sterilizing device according to thepresent application is represented in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic sectional drawing;

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the entry port with the UV radiationdevice in position there; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one possible embodiment of the presentapplication.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a receiving device 2 that is positioned at the entry sideof the sterilizing device 1, on which receiving device the foil roll 3,also called the reservoir roll, is mounted. Said foil roll 3 is rotatedin a substantially continuous manner during routine operation. The foil4 is directed via a punching station 5 where necessary and/or desiredstability punching can be performed. The foil 4 then runs into theradiation segment 6, which as essential elements includes the entry port7 and the UV radiation device 8, and as shown in the example a formatcompensating rocker 9 and suitable guide elements 10 in the form ofrolls or rollers.

The bag producing segment 11 connects to the radiation segment 6, inwhich bag producing segment the empty bag packages are manufacturedusing suitable means, for example a folding and moulding machine 12. Theempty bag packages are transferred into the filling segment 13 and thereare filled and sealed and they leave the sterilizing device 1 by meansof a port (not shown). In the device represented, a ventilation ceiling14 extends over the entire length of the sterilizing device 1. The saidventilation ceiling 14 includes a filtering material and serves togenerate a laminar, turbulence-free flow, the direction of flow beingindicated in a symbolic manner by the arrows 15 that point verticallydownwards. The gas outlets are not shown.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the receiving device 2, the punchingstation 5 and the radiation segment 6 with the entry port 7 and the UVradiation device 8. It can be clearly seen that the foil 4 is irradiatedon both sides by the radiation source 16 in the region of the UVradiation device 8. In this case, the fan-shaped lines symbolize the UVrays 17. It can also be seen that the horizontal through channel 18represents the portal into the interior of the sterilizing device 1.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, theultraviolet radiation device or ultraviolet light source 18 may beconfigured to output radiation or ultraviolet light in the range ofabout ten kiloWatts per centimeter squared to about fifty kiloWatts percentimeter squared. In another possible embodiment of the presentapplication, the ultraviolet radiation device or ultraviolet lightsource 18 may be configured to output radiation or ultraviolet light inthe range of about fifteen kiloWatts per centimeter squared to abouttwenty-five kiloWatts per centimeter squared. In another possibleembodiment of the present application, the higher range of output of theultraviolet radiation device or ultraviolet light source may possibly beconfigured to output radiation or ultraviolet light possibly as high astwo hundred fifty kiloWatts per centimeter squared.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one possible embodiment of the presentapplication. As seen in FIG. 3, a sheet material may be supplied from aroll or reservoir 3 to an entry point 2 of a sterilization device ortreatment arrangement 1. From the entry point 2, the sheet material 4may be fed to a radiation segment or light-exposing unit 6. The sheetmaterial 4 may be exposed to pulsed ultraviolet light in the segment 6on one side. In another possible embodiment of the present application,the sheet material 4 may be exposed to pulse ultraviolet on both sides.

Once sterilized and/or treated and/or exposed to ultraviolet light, thesheet material 4 may be transported to a bag-producing segment or a bagforming unit 11. In the bag-producing segment or a bag forming unit 11,the sheet material 4 may then be cut, folded, and/or welded to form abag or bag package. The bag may then be transported to a filling segment13, in which the bag may be filled with any of a variety of products oringredients. Next, the bag may then be transported to a closing segmentor sealing unit 50, in which the filled bag or bag package may besealed, closed, or welded. The filled, closed bag may then betransported out of the sterilization machine 1 through an exit point 51and to a packaging arrangement 52, in which filled, sealed bag packagesmay be placed into boxes for distribution.

The sheet material 4, which may later form the bags or bag packages, maybe transported in a direction of transport A.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, thesheet material 4 may be used in at least the segment 11 and segment 13within a predetermined time after the sheet material 4 is processed bythe segment 6 to restrict and/or minimize contamination of the sheetmaterial 4.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in asterilizing device for bag packages, said sterilizing device comprisingan entry port, a shaping unit, a filling unit, an exit port and one ormore suitable conveying and/or transport elements, wherein the entryport includes a UV radiation device or is formed in a substantial mannerfrom said UV radiation device, and said UV radiation device emits pulsedradiation.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thesterilizing device, wherein the radiation output of the UV radiationdevice is between 10000 and 50000 Watt/cm² and in one possibleembodiment between 15000 and 250000 Watt/cm².

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe sterilizing device, wherein the duration of the radiation pulse iswithin the range of 100μ seconds to 500μ seconds, and in one possibleembodiment of the present application is within the range of 250μseconds to 350μ seconds.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe sterilizing device, wherein the sterilizing device includes gasinlets, which lead into the interior space bordering the entry port.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thesterilizing device, wherein the entry port is connected to a gas lineand at least one gas outlet is positioned at the entry port, it beingpossible to generate a gas flow by means of said gas outlet in normaloperation in opposition to the direction of movement of the foil.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thesterilizing device, wherein a roll reservoir is positioned upstream ofthe entry port.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod for sterilizing bag packages, wherein a sterilizing device of thepresent application is used, wherein:

a) in a first step foil material is directed from a roll or otherreservoir into the entry port,

b) the foil is exposed to pulsed UV radiation in the region of the entryport at least on one side and in one possible embodiment on both sides,

c) the foil is then formed into bag packages and subsequently

d) filled and sealed and, as the last step, and

e) is lifted or conveyed out of the sterilizing device by means ofsuitable conveying means.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe method for sterilizing bag packages, wherein the internal pressurein the sterilizing device is higher than the ambient pressure andconsequently a gas flow is directed through the port from inside tooutside.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in themethod, wherein a gas flow is directed into the interior of thesterilizing device or at least to the exit of the entry port, whereinthe gas has clean-room quality.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a methodof treating, forming, filling, and sealing bag packages, said methodcomprising the steps of: storing a roll of thermoplastic sheet material;unrolling said thermoplastic sheet material from said roll and feedingsaid thermoplastic sheet material, from said roll of thermoplastic sheetmaterial, to a treating arrangement, which treating arrangementcomprises: an input being configured and disposed to acceptthermoplastic sheet material from a roll of thermoplastic sheet materialand to feed thermoplastic sheet material into said treating arrangement;a treating unit being configured and disposed to treat thermoplasticsheet material; a forming unit being configured and disposed to cutthermoplastic sheet material, to fold thermoplastic sheet material, andto weld thermoplastic sheet material and thereby to form bag packages; agripping arrangement being configured and disposed to grip sides offormed bag packages to permit bag packages to be opened and to permitbag packages to be filled; a filling unit being configured and disposedto fill formed bag packages; a sealing unit being configured anddisposed to seal filled bag packages; and an output being configured anddisposed to permit bag packages to be removed from said treatmentarrangement; exposing both sides of said thermoplastic sheet material topulsed ultraviolet light, in said treating unit, from a source ofultraviolet light; outputting ultraviolet light to expose saidthermoplastic sheet material from about fifteen thousand Watts percentimeter squared and about twenty-five thousand Watts per centimetersquared in said treating unit; said outputting comprising pulses ofultraviolet light from about two hundred fifty microseconds to aboutthree hundred fifty microseconds in said treating unit; cutting apredetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material, which predetermined portion of said ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material comprises a first edge ofsaid predetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material and a second edge being disposed oppositesaid first edge of said predetermined portion of said ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material; folding said predeterminedportion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material,disposing said first edge adjacent said second edge, and disposing saidfirst edge and said second edge opposite a fold in said predeterminedportion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material;welding three sides of said folded predetermined portion of saidultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material and forming bagpackages with an open portion, in said forming unit, from saidultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material, which bagpackages are configured to accept a product; transporting said formedbag packages, from said forming unit, to said filling unit; gripping thesides of said bag packages and opening said bag packages; filling saidbag packages, in said filling unit, with a product; transporting saidfilled bag packages from said filling unit to said sealing unit; weldingthe remaining open portion of said filled bag packages, in said sealingunit, and sealing said filled bag packages; said steps of cutting,folding, welding three sides, transporting said formed bag packages,gripping, filling, transporting said filled bag packages, and weldingthe remaining open portion further comprising cutting, folding, weldingthree sides, transporting said formed bag packages, gripping, filling,transporting said filled bag packages, and welding the remaining openportion within a predetermined time after said step of exposing bothsides of said thermoplastic sheet material to pulsed ultraviolet lightto minimize contamination of said light-exposed thermoplastic sheetmaterial; transporting said sealed, filled bag packages out of saidtreating arrangement; and packaging said sealed, filled bag packagesinto boxes.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed orincorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possibleembodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the technical field is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe technical field of this patent application. However, the descriptionof the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the technical field are not intended to limit theclaims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting theclaims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention,are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing ofthis patent application, to adequately provide background informationfor this patent application. However, the background information may notbe completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in thispatent application, as amended during prosecution of this patentapplication, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from thispatent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to thebackground information are not intended to limit the claims in anymanner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in anymanner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousembodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of theembodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generallyto enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the object or objects is believed, atthe time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the object or objects of this patent application. However, thedescription of the object or objects may not be completely applicable tothe claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amendedduring prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowedin any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, anystatements made relating to the object or objects are not intended tolimit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limitingthe claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein,and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patentapplication, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary arenot intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not beinterpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patentapplications, and other documents which are included in this applicationand which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of .. . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment ofthe present application . . .” may possibly not be used or useable inany one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patentapplications and other documents either incorporated by reference or notincorporated by reference.

The following patents, patent applications or patent publications, arehereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein: WO 05/120960 A1, having the title “DEVICE FOR THE SHAPING,FILLING AND SEALING OF CONTAINERS OF FLEXIBLE AND SOFT LAMINARMATERIAL,” published on Dec. 22, 2005; GB 1,166,010 A, having the title“Improvements in or relating to Devices for Cleaning Films of PlasticMaterial Entering a Sterile Enclosure,” published on Oct. 1, 1969; DE 4007 714 A1, having the following English translation of the German title“Method and device for sterilising a web of packaging material,”published on Sep. 12, 1991; DE 42 09 838 A1, having the followingEnglish translation of the German title “Sterilising system for lengthsof packing material—uses high pressure water jet sprayed ontocontinuously moving material surface prior to sterile gas drying and UVradiation,” published on Sep. 30, 1993; DE 196 26 705 A1, having thefollowing German title “Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Sterilisiereneiner Verpackungsmaterialbahn,” published on Jan. 8, 1998; WO 99/21593A1, having the title “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING A PACKAGINGSHEET MATERIAL,” published on May 6, 1999; and DE 196 13 357 A1, havingthe following English translation of the German title “Pulsed lightsource e.g. gas-discharge lamp for generating light of given wavelengthin UV and visible light spectral range,” published on Oct. 9, 1997.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, whichwere cited in the German Office Action dated Oct. 4, 2007, and/or citedelsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in theirentirety herein as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,384, having the title“ARRANGEMENT FOR DEGERMING WEBS OF PACKING FOIL,” published on Mar. 20,2001; FR 1,469,214, having the French title “Dispositif de stérilisationde films en matière plastique pour le conditionnement de produitsdivers,” published on May 8, 1967; EP 0 591 917, having the title “Amethod of sterilizing the inside layer in a packaging material,”published on Apr. 13, 1994; US 2003/0155531, having the title“STERILIZATION OF PACKAGES AND THEIR CONTENTS USING LIGHT,” published onAug. 21, 2003; and EP 0 206 086, having the title “Active energyray-curing resin composition,” published on Dec. 30, 1986.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, whichwere cited in the International Search Report dated Apr. 11, 2008,and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if setforth in their entirety herein as follows: FR 2,649,668, having thefollowing English translation of the French title “ASEPTIC FILLINGMACHINE FOR FOOD,” published on Jan. 18, 1991; WO 98/05703, having thetitle “METHOD OF TRIGGERING OXYGEN SCAVENGING COMPOSITION WITH PULSEDLIGHT,” published on Feb. 12, 1998; EP 1,598,391, having the title“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH SPEED ACTIVATION OF OXYGEN SCAVENGINGCOMPOSITIONS,” published on Nov. 23, 2005; WO 98/05555, having the title“METHOD, APPARATUS, AND A SYSTEM FOR TRIGGERING OXYGEN SCAVENGINGFILMS,” published on Feb. 12, 1998; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,598, havingthe title “STERILIZATION OF PACKAGES AND THEIR CONTENTS USINGHIGH-INTENSITY, SHORT-DURATION PULSES OF INCOHERENT, POLYCHROMATIC LIGHTIN A BROAD SPECTRUM,” published on Jul. 28, 1990.

U.S. patent application 12/341,564 filed on Dec. 22, 2008, havinginventor Thomas MATHEYKA, Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-206, and itscorresponding Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. DE 102006 028 796.7, and International Patent Application No.PCT/EP2007/05299, filed on Jun. 20, 2007, having WIPO Publication No. WO2007/147566 and inventor Thomas MATHEYKA are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

U.S. patent application 12/342,440 filed on Dec. 23, 2008, havinginventor Thomas MATHEYKA, Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-207, and itscorresponding Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2006030 255.9, filed on Jul. 30, 2006, and International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2007/008402, filed on Jun. 20, 2007, having WIPO PublicationNo. WO 2008/000376 and inventor Thomas MATHEYKA are hereby incorporatedby reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

Some examples of apparatuses for opening and disposing bags and ofgripping arrangements that may possibly be utilized or adapted for usein at least one possible embodiment may possibly be found in thefollowing a U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,300, having the title “BAG PACKINGAPPARATUS,” published on Aug. 2, 1978; and No. 6,276,117, having thetitle “ADJUSTABLE POUCH CARRIER FOR DIFFERENT SIZED POUCHES ANDPACKAGING MACHINE HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE POUCH CARRIER,” published on Aug.21, 2001.

Some examples of apparatuses for closing arrangements that may possiblybe utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment maypossibly be found in US Patent Application No. 2007/0101684, having thetitle “DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TUBULAR BAGS,” published on May 10,2007.

Some examples of sheet materials, which may possibly be utilized oradapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the presentapplication, may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No.7,550,198, having the title “Multilayer sealable film having atemperature-resistant layer therein,” published on Jun. 23, 2009; No.7,351,942, having the title “Insulating microwave interactivepackaging,” published on Apr. 1, 2008; No. 7,281,360, having the title“Thermal laminates and laminating method of food packaging films,”published on Oct. 16, 2007; No. 6,932,592, having the title“Metallocene-produced very low density polyethylenes,” published on Aug.23, 2005; No. 6,372,361, having the title “Coating for paper products,”published on Apr. 16, 2002; and No. 5,405,663, having the title“Microwave package laminate with extrusion bonded susceptor,” publishedon Apr. 11, 1995.

Some examples of methods and apparatus for forming bags out of sheetmaterial, which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at leastone possible embodiment of the present application, may possibly befound in the following U.S. Pat. No. 7,553,269, having the title of“Method of manufacturing a bag,” published on Jun. 30, 2009; No.7,549,269, having the title “Method of forming a bag having a reclosableseal,” published on Jun. 23, 2009; No. 7,546,722, having the title“Vertical filling-packaging machine and method of manufacturing apackaging bag,” published on Jun. 16, 2009; No. 7,396,163, having thetitle “Paper and plastic bags flexible packages and other containerswith re-closable device and method of making the same,” published onJul. 8, 2008; No. 7,033,077, having the title “Sealable bags made ofplastics or other materials and method of making plastic sheeting formanufacturing sealable bags,” published on Apr. 25, 2006; No. 7,361,872,having the title “Variable serving size insulated packaging,” publishedon Apr. 22, 2008; No. 5,773,801, having the title “Microwave cookingconstruction for popping corn,” published on Jun. 30, 1998; No.7,067,781, having the title “Single ply paper product, method formanufacturing, and article,” published on Jun. 27, 2006; and No.4,348,851, having the title “Packing machine for the production offilled sealed bags,” published on Sep. 14, 1982.

Some examples of apparatuses and methods for packaging filled, sealedbags into boxes, which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in atleast one possible embodiment of the present application, may possiblybe found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,850, having the title“Method and apparatus for counting items in a container,” published inApr. 22, 2008; No. 6,988,350, having the title “Packaging system,”published in Jan. 24, 2006; and No. 5,251,422, having the title “Potatochip package vertical packaging machine,” published on Oct. 12, 1993.

The patents, patent applications, and patent publication listed above inthe preceding ten paragraphs are herein incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entirety. The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents,Foreign patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide additionalinformation relating to technical features of one or more embodiments,which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in thepages of this application. Words relating to the opinions and judgmentsof the author and not directly relating to the technical details of thedescription of the embodiments therein are not incorporated byreference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably,guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately,endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must,only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous,total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalentto the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more embodiments, are not considered to beincorporated by reference herein.

The corresponding foreign and international patent publicationapplications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No.10 2007 003 334.8, filed on Jan. 17, 2007, having inventor ThomasMATHEYKA, and DE-OS 10 2007 003 334.8 and DE-PS 10 2007 003 334.8, andInternational Application No. PCT/EP2007/010944, filed on Dec. 13, 2007,having WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/086868 and inventor Thomas MATHEYKA,are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein for the purpose of correcting and explaining any possiblemisinterpretations of the English translation thereof. In addition, thepublished equivalents of the above corresponding foreign andinternational patent publication applications, and other equivalents orcorresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in theFederal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references anddocuments cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as thepatents, patent applications and publications, are hereby incorporatedby reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The purpose of incorporating the corresponding foreign equivalent patentapplication(s), that is, PCT/EP2007/010944 and German Patent Application10 2007 003 334.8, is solely for the purpose of providing a basis ofcorrection of any wording in the pages of the present application, whichmay have been mistranslated or misinterpreted by the translator. Wordsrelating to opinions and judgments of the author and not directlyrelating to the technical details of the description of the embodimentstherein are not to be incorporated by reference. The words all, always,absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly,constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly,continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise,perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, andunnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentionedword in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features ofone or more embodiments, are not generally considered to be incorporatedby reference herein.

Statements made in the original foreign patent applicationsPCT/EP2007/010944 and DE 10 2007 003 334.8 from which this patentapplication claims priority which do not have to do with the correctionof the translation in this patent application are not to be included inthis patent application in the incorporation by reference.

Any statements about admissions of prior art in the original foreignpatent applications PCT/EP2007/010944 and DE 10 2007 003 334.8 are notto be included in this patent application in the incorporation byreference, since the laws relating to prior art in non-U.S. PatentOffices and courts may be substantially different from the Patent Lawsof the United States.

All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents citedherein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in theirentirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in theimmediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patentapplications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However,portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodimentor embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner andshould not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may beconsidered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claimsduring prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentablydistinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of thispatent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of thispatent application. However, the title may not be completely applicableto the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, thedescription of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the        specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably        following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the        Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent        and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine        quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the        technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for        interpreting the scope of the claims.        Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not        intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be        interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the contextof the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting theembodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof,since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.

1. A method of aseptically treating, forming, filling, and sealing bagpackages to minimize contamination of said light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material subsequent to said step of exposing and substantiallyincrease shelf life of a product over a product that has not beenaseptically filled, said method comprising the steps of: storing a rollof thermoplastic sheet material; unrolling said thermoplastic sheetmaterial from said roll and feeding said thermoplastic sheet material,from said roll of thermoplastic sheet material, to a treatingarrangement, which treating arrangement comprises: an input beingconfigured and disposed to accept thermoplastic sheet material from aroll of thermoplastic sheet material and to feed thermoplastic sheetmaterial into said treating arrangement; a treating unit beingconfigured and disposed to treat thermoplastic sheet material; a formingunit being configured and disposed to cut thermoplastic sheet material,to fold thermoplastic sheet material, and to weld thermoplastic sheetmaterial and thereby to form bag packages; a gripping arrangement beingconfigured and disposed to grip sides of formed bag packages to permitbag packages to be opened and to permit bag packages to be filled; afilling unit being configured and disposed to fill formed bag packages;a sealing unit being configured and disposed to seal filled bagpackages; and an output being configured and disposed to permit bagpackages to be removed from said treatment arrangement; exposing bothsides of said thermoplastic sheet material to pulsed ultraviolet light,in said treating unit, from a source of ultraviolet light; outputtingultraviolet light to expose said thermoplastic sheet material in therange from about fifteen thousand Watts per centimeter squared to abouttwenty-five thousand Watts per centimeter squared in said treating unit;said outputting comprising pulses of ultraviolet light having aninterval from about two hundred fifty microseconds to about threehundred fifty microseconds in said treating unit; cutting apredetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material, which predetermined portion of said ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material comprises a first edge ofsaid predetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material and a second edge being disposed oppositesaid first edge of said predetermined portion of said ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material; folding said predeterminedportion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material,disposing said first edge adjacent said second edge, and disposing saidfirst edge and said second edge opposite a fold in said predeterminedportion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet materialto prepare said folded predetermined portion of said ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material to form a bag package;welding a first side, a second side, and a third side connecting saidfirst side and said second side of said folded predetermined portion ofsaid ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material and formingbag packages with an open portion between said first side and saidsecond side and opposite said third side, in said forming unit, fromsaid ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material, which bagpackages are thus configured to accept a product; transporting saidformed bag packages, from said forming unit, to said filling unit;gripping the sides of said bag packages and opening said open portionsof said bag packages; filling said bag packages, in said filling unit,with a product; transporting said filled bag packages from said fillingunit to said sealing unit; welding the remaining open portion of saidfilled bag packages, in said sealing unit, and sealing said filled bagpackages; said steps of cutting, folding, welding said three sides,transporting said formed bag packages, gripping, filling, transportingsaid filled bag packages, and welding the remaining open portion uponsaid bag packages being filled with a product further comprisingcutting, folding, welding said three sides, transporting said formed bagpackages, gripping, filling, transporting said filled bag packages, andwelding the remaining open portion upon said bag packages being filledwith a product within a predetermined time after said step of exposingboth sides of said thermoplastic sheet material to pulsed ultravioletlight and minimizing contamination of said light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material subsequent to said step of exposing and substantiallyincreasing shelf life of a product over a product that has not beenaseptically filled; transporting said sealed, filled bag packages out ofsaid treating arrangement; and packaging said sealed, filled bagpackages into boxes.
 2. Means for performing the method of asepticallytreating, forming, filling, and sealing bag packages to minimizecontamination of said light-exposed thermoplastic sheet materialsubsequent to said step of exposing and substantially increase shelflife of a product over a product that has not been aseptically filledaccording to claim 1, said means comprising: means for storing a roll ofthermoplastic sheet material; means for unrolling thermoplastic sheetmaterial from a roll and feeding the thermoplastic sheet material, fromthe roll of thermoplastic sheet material, to a treating arrangement,which treating arrangement comprises: an input being configured anddisposed to accept thermoplastic sheet material from a roll ofthermoplastic sheet material and to feed thermoplastic sheet materialinto said treating arrangement; a treating unit being configured anddisposed to treat thermoplastic sheet material; a forming unit beingconfigured and disposed to cut thermoplastic sheet material, to foldthermoplastic sheet material, and to weld thermoplastic sheet materialand thereby to form bag packages; a gripping arrangement beingconfigured and disposed to grip sides of formed bag packages to permitbag packages to be opened and to permit bag packages to be filled; afilling unit being configured and disposed to fill formed bag packages;a sealing unit being configured and disposed to seal filled bagpackages; and an output being configured and disposed to permit bagpackages to be removed from said treatment arrangement; means forexposing both sides of thermoplastic sheet material to pulsedultraviolet light, in said treating unit, from a source of ultravioletlight; means for outputting ultraviolet light to expose thermoplasticsheet material in the range from about fifteen thousand Watts percentimeter squared to about twenty-five thousand Watts per centimetersquared in said treating unit; means for outputting configured to pulseultraviolet light in intervals from about two hundred fifty microsecondsto about three hundred fifty microseconds in said treating unit; meansfor cutting a predetermined portion of ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material, which predetermined portion of ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material comprises a first edge of thepredetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material and a second edge being disposed opposite the first edgeof the predetermined portion of the ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material; means for folding a predetermined portionof ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material, disposing afirst edge adjacent a second edge, and disposing the first edge and thesecond edge opposite a fold in the predetermined portion of theultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material to prepare thefolded predetermined portion of the ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material to form a bag package; means for welding afirst side, a second side, and a third side connecting the first sideand the second side of a folded predetermined portion of ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material and forming bag packages withan open portion between the first side and the second side and oppositethe third side, in said forming unit, from ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material, which bag packages are thus configured toaccept a product; means for transporting formed bag packages, from saidforming unit, to said filling unit; means for gripping the sides of bagpackages and opening open portions of the bag packages; means forfilling bag packages, in said filling unit, with a product; means fortransporting filled bag packages from said filling unit to said sealingunit; means for welding the remaining open portion of filled bagpackages, in said sealing unit, and sealing filled bag packages; saidmeans for cutting, folding, welding said three sides, transporting saidformed bag packages, gripping, filling, transporting said filled bagpackages, and welding the remaining open portion upon said bag packagesbeing filled with a product further comprising means for cutting,folding, welding said three sides, transporting said formed bagpackages, gripping, filling, transporting said filled bag packages, andwelding the remaining open portion upon said bag packages being filledwith a product within a predetermined time after said step of exposingboth sides of said thermoplastic sheet material to pulsed ultravioletlight and minimizing contamination of said light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material subsequent to said step of exposing and substantiallyincreasing shelf life of a product over a product that has not beenaseptically filled; means for transporting sealed, filled bag packagesout of said treating arrangement; and means for packaging sealed, filledbag packages into boxes.
 3. A treatment arrangement for performing themethod of aseptically treating, forming, filling, and sealing bagpackages to minimize contamination of said light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material subsequent to said step of exposing and substantiallyincrease shelf life of a product over a product that has not beenaseptically filled according to claim 1, said treatment arrangementcomprising: a storing arrangement being configured to store a roll ofthermoplastic sheet material; an unrolling arrangement being configuredto unroll thermoplastic sheet material from a roll and feed thethermoplastic sheet material, from the roll of thermoplastic sheetmaterial, to the treating arrangement, which treating arrangementcomprises: an input being configured and disposed to acceptthermoplastic sheet material from a roll of thermoplastic sheet materialand to feed thermoplastic sheet material into said treating arrangement;a treating unit being configured and disposed to treat thermoplasticsheet material; a forming unit being configured and disposed to cutthermoplastic sheet material, to fold thermoplastic sheet material, andto weld thermoplastic sheet material and thereby to form bag packages; agripping arrangement being configured and disposed to grip sides offormed bag packages to permit bag packages to be opened and to permitbag packages to be filled; a filling unit being configured and disposedto fill formed bag packages; a sealing unit being configured anddisposed to seal filled bag packages; and an output being configured anddisposed to permit bag packages to be removed from said treatmentarrangement; an exposing arrangement being configured to expose bothsides of thermoplastic sheet material to pulsed ultraviolet light, insaid treating unit, from a source of ultraviolet light; an outputtingarrangement being configured to output ultraviolet light to exposethermoplastic sheet material in the range from about fifteen thousandWatts per centimeter squared to about twenty-five thousand Watts percentimeter squared in said treating unit; said outputting arrangementbeing further configured to pulse ultraviolet light in intervals fromabout two hundred fifty microseconds to about three hundred fiftymicroseconds in said treating unit; a cutting arrangement beingconfigured to cut a predetermined portion of ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material, which predetermined portion of ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material comprises a first edge of thepredetermined portion of said ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material and a second edge being disposed opposite the first edgeof the predetermined portion of the ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material; a folding arrangement being configured tofold a predetermined portion of ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material, disposing a first edge adjacent a second edge, anddisposing the first edge and the second edge opposite a fold in thepredetermined portion of the ultraviolet light-exposed thermoplasticsheet material to prepare the folded predetermined portion of theultraviolet light-exposed thermoplastic sheet material to form a bagpackage; a first welding arrangement being configured to weld a firstside, a second side, and a third side connecting the first side and thesecond side of a folded predetermined portion of ultravioletlight-exposed thermoplastic sheet material and forming bag packages withan open portion between the first side and the second side and oppositethe third side, in said forming unit, from ultraviolet light-exposedthermoplastic sheet material, which bag packages are thus configured toaccept a product; a first transporting arrangement being configured totransport formed bag packages, from said forming unit, to said fillingunit; a gripping arrangement being configured to group the sides of bagpackages and open open portions of the bag packages; a fillingarrangement being configured to fill bag packages, in said filling unit,with a product; a second transporting arrangement being configured totransport filled bag packages from said filling unit to said sealingunit; a second welding arrangement being configured to weld theremaining open portion of filled bag packages, in said sealing unit, andsealing filled bag packages; said cutting arrangement, said foldingarrangement, said first welding arrangement, said first transportingarrangement, said gripping arrangement, said filling arrangement, saidsecond transporting arrangement, and said second welding arrangementbeing further configured to cut, fold, weld, transport, grip, fill,transport, and weld within a predetermined time after both sides of saidthermoplastic sheet material are exposed to pulsed ultraviolet light andminimize contamination of said light-exposed thermoplastic sheetmaterial subsequent to said step of exposing and substantially increaseshelf life of a product over a product that has not been asepticallyfilled; a third transporting arrangement being configured to transportsealed, filled bag packages out of said treating arrangement; and apackaging arrangement being configured to package sealed, filled bagpackages into boxes.
 4. The method of aseptically treating, forming,filling, and closing flexible containers according to claim 1, wherein:said treating arrangement further comprises gas inlets disposed alongthe length of said treating arrangement between said input and saidoutput; said treating arrangement further comprises a gas outletdisposed adjacent said input; said method further comprises:transporting said thermoplastic sheet material and said bag packagesthrough said treating arrangement in a direction of transport; flowingsterile air through said treating arrangement against said direction oftransport; and maintaining a higher internal pressure within saidtreating arrangement than the ambient pressure outside said treatingarrangement.
 5. A method of treating, forming, filling, and closingflexible containers, said method comprising the steps of: feedingflexible sheet material, from a supply of flexible sheet material, to atreating arrangement, which treating arrangement comprises: an inputbeing configured and disposed to accept flexible sheet material from asupply of flexible sheet material and to feed flexible sheet materialinto said treating arrangement; a treating unit being configured anddisposed to treat flexible sheet material; a forming unit beingconfigured and disposed to form flexible containers from flexible sheetmaterial; a filling unit being configured and disposed to fill formedflexible containers; a closing unit being configured and disposed toclose filled flexible containers; and an output being configured anddisposed to permit flexible containers to be removed from said treatmentarrangement; treating at least one side of said flexible sheet materialwith pulsed ultraviolet radiation, in said treating unit, from a sourceof ultraviolet radiation; forming flexible containers with open portionsfrom said treated flexible sheet material, which flexible containers areconfigured to accept a product; transporting said formed flexiblecontainers, from said forming unit, to said filling unit; filling saidflexible containers, in said filling unit, with a product; transportingsaid filled flexible containers from said filling unit to said closingunit; closing said open portions of said filled flexible containers, insaid closing unit, and closing said filled flexible containers;transporting said filled, closed flexible containers from said outlet ofsaid treating arrangement; and packaging said filled, closed flexiblecontainers into shipping containers, which shipping containers areconfigured to permit shipping of filled, closed flexible containers. 6.Means for performing the method of treating, forming, filling, andclosing flexible containers according to claim 5, said means comprising:means for feeding flexible sheet material, from a supply of flexiblesheet material, to a treating arrangement, which treating arrangementcomprises: an input being configured and disposed to accept flexiblesheet material from a supply of flexible sheet material and to feedflexible sheet material into said treating arrangement; a treating unitbeing configured and disposed to treat flexible sheet material; aforming unit being configured and disposed to form flexible containersfrom flexible sheet material; a filling unit being configured anddisposed to fill formed flexible containers; a closing unit beingconfigured and disposed to close filled flexible containers; and anoutput being configured and disposed to permit flexible containers to beremoved from said treatment arrangement; means for treating at least oneside of flexible sheet material with pulsed ultraviolet radiation, insaid treating unit, from a source of ultraviolet radiation; means forforming flexible containers with open portions from treated flexiblesheet material, which flexible containers are configured to accept aproduct; means for transporting formed flexible containers, from saidforming unit, to said filling unit; means for filling flexiblecontainers, in said filling unit, with a product; means for transportingfilled flexible containers from said filling unit to said closing unit;means for closing open portions of filled flexible containers, in saidclosing unit, and closing the filled flexible containers; means fortransporting filled, closed flexible containers from said outlet of saidtreating arrangement; and means for packaging filled, closed flexiblecontainers into shipping containers, which shipping containers areconfigured to permit shipping of filled, closed flexible containers. 7.A treatment arrangement for performing the method of treating, forming,filling, and closing flexible containers according to claim 5, saidtreatment arrangement comprising: a feeding arrangement being configuredto feed flexible sheet material, from a supply of flexible sheetmaterial, to a treating arrangement, which treating arrangementcomprises: an input being configured and disposed to accept flexiblesheet material from a supply of flexible sheet material and to feedflexible sheet material into said treating arrangement; a treating unitbeing configured and disposed to treat flexible sheet material; aforming unit being configured and disposed to form flexible containersfrom flexible sheet material; a filling unit being configured anddisposed to fill formed flexible containers; a closing unit beingconfigured and disposed to close filled flexible containers; and anoutput being configured and disposed to permit flexible containers to beremoved from said treatment arrangement; a treating arrangement beingconfigured to treat at least one side of flexible sheet material withpulsed ultraviolet radiation, in said treating unit, from a source ofultraviolet radiation; a forming arrangement being configured to formflexible containers with open portions from treated flexible sheetmaterial, which flexible containers are configured to accept a product;a first transporting arrangement being configured to transport formedflexible containers, from said forming unit, to said filling unit; afilling arrangement being configured to fill flexible containers, insaid filling unit, with a product; a second transporting arrangementbeing configured to transport filled flexible containers from saidfilling unit to said closing unit; a closing arrangement beingconfigured to close open portions of filled flexible containers, in saidclosing unit, and closing the filled flexible containers; a thirdtransporting arrangement being configured to transport filled, closedflexible containers from said outlet of said treating arrangement; and apackaging arrangement being configured to package filled, closedflexible containers into shipping containers, which shipping containersare configured to permit shipping of filled, closed flexible containers.8. The method of treating, forming, filling, and closing flexiblecontainers according to claim 5, wherein said method further comprisessubstantially increasing shelf life of a product over a product that hasnot been aseptically filled and minimizing contamination of said treatedflexible sheet material subsequent to said step of treating.
 9. Themethod of treating, forming, filling, and closing flexible containersaccording to claim 8, wherein one of (A) and (B): (A) said step oftreating further comprises treating said flexible sheet material withultraviolet radiation in the range of from about ten thousand Watts percentimeter squared to about fifty thousand Watts per centimeter squared;and (B) said step of treating further comprises treating said flexiblesheet material with ultraviolet radiation in the range of from aboutfifteen thousand Watts per centimeter squared to about twenty-fivethousand Watts per centimeter squared.
 10. The method of treating,forming, filling, and closing flexible containers according to claim 9,wherein one of (C) and (D): (C) said step of treating further comprisestreating said flexible sheet material with pulses of ultravioletradiation having an interval from about one hundred microseconds toabout five hundred microseconds; and (D) said step of treating furthercomprises treating said flexible sheet material with pulses ofultraviolet radiation having an interval from about two hundred fiftymicroseconds to about three hundred fifty microseconds.
 11. The methodof treating, forming, filling, and closing flexible containers accordingto claim 10, wherein said treating arrangement further comprises gasinlets disposed along the length of said treating arrangement betweensaid input and said output.
 12. The method of treating, forming,filling, and closing flexible containers according to claim 11, wherein:said treating arrangement further comprises a gas outlet disposedadjacent said input; and said method further comprises: transportingsaid flexible sheet material and said flexible containers through saidtreating arrangement in a direction of transport; and flowing sterileair through said treating arrangement against said direction oftransport.
 13. The method of treating, forming, filling, and closingflexible containers according to claim 12, wherein said method furthercomprises maintaining a higher internal pressure within said treatingarrangement than the ambient pressure outside said treating arrangement.14. A treatment arrangement for performing the method of treating,forming, filling, and closing flexible containers, said treatmentarrangement comprising: a feeding arrangement being configured to feedflexible sheet material, from a supply of flexible sheet material, to atreating arrangement, which treating arrangement comprises: an inputbeing configured and disposed to accept flexible sheet material from asupply of flexible sheet material and to feed flexible sheet materialinto said treating arrangement; a treating unit being configured anddisposed to treat flexible sheet material; a forming unit beingconfigured and disposed to form flexible containers from flexible sheetmaterial; a filling unit being configured and disposed to fill formedflexible containers; a closing unit being configured and disposed toclose filled flexible containers; and an output being configured anddisposed to permit flexible containers to be removed from said treatmentarrangement; a treating arrangement being configured to treat at leastone side of flexible sheet material with pulsed ultraviolet radiation,in said treating unit, from a source of ultraviolet radiation; a formingarrangement being configured to form flexible containers with openportions from treated flexible sheet material, which flexible containersare configured to accept a product; a first transporting arrangementbeing configured to transport formed flexible containers, from saidforming unit, to said filling unit; a filling arrangement beingconfigured to fill flexible containers, in said filling unit, with aproduct; a second transporting arrangement being configured to transportfilled flexible containers from said filling unit to said closing unit;a closing arrangement being configured to close open portions of filledflexible containers, in said closing unit, and closing the filledflexible containers; a third transporting arrangement being configuredto transport filled, closed flexible containers from said outlet of saidtreating arrangement; and a packaging arrangement being configured topackage filled, closed flexible containers into shipping containers,which shipping containers are configured to permit shipping of filled,closed flexible containers.
 15. The treatment arrangement according toclaim 41, wherein said treatment arrangement is further configured tosubstantially increase shelf life of a product over a product that hasnot been aseptically filled and minimize contamination of treatedflexible sheet material upon the flexible sheet material being treated.16. The treatment arrangement according to claim 15, wherein one of (A)and (B): (A) said treatment arrangement is further configured to treatflexible sheet material with ultraviolet radiation in the range of fromabout ten thousand Watts per centimeter squared to about fifty thousandWatts per centimeter squared; and (B) said treatment arrangement isfurther configured to treat flexible sheet material with ultravioletradiation in the range of from about fifteen thousand Watts percentimeter squared to about twenty-five thousand Watts per centimetersquared.
 17. The treatment arrangement according to claim 16, whereinone of (C) and (D): (C) said treatment arrangement is further configuredto treat flexible sheet material with pulses of ultraviolet radiationhaving an interval from about one hundred microseconds to about fivehundred microseconds; and (D) said treatment arrangement is furtherconfigured to treat flexible sheet material with pulses of ultravioletradiation having an interval from about two hundred fifty microsecondsto about three hundred fifty microseconds.
 18. The treatment arrangementaccording to claim 17, wherein said treatment arrangement furthercomprises gas inlets disposed along the length of said treatingarrangement between said input and said output.
 19. The treatmentarrangement according to claim 18, wherein said treatment arrangement:further comprises a gas outlet disposed adjacent said input; and isconfigured to: transport flexible sheet material and flexible containersthrough said treatment arrangement in a direction of transport; and flowsterile air through said treatment arrangement against the direction oftransport.
 20. The treatment arrangement according to claim 18, whereinsaid treatment arrangement is further configured to maintain a higherinternal pressure within said treating arrangement than the ambientpressure outside said treating arrangement.